Mara laughed and nodded to Pak when she asked about Amir and 'bubbly.' "It's true," she said. "He was like that before, pretty much. We had to track someone to the Maldives and once there we needed a local to guide us. Ran was volunteered by his own village and he stuck with us. To us, more or less."
She chuckled again, thinking of her younger 'sibling.' Ran was persistent, that was for sure. "He took a liking to us. Amir was desperate to get rid of him, really, and he thought he finally had when we were finished and we set out from the islands. That was, until we found Ran stowed away on Amir's boat."
She rolled her eyes upward thoughtfully. "Amir wanted to eat him," she said. "In fact he did have some of him."
Quite a lot of him, really. Amir had been livid, cursing the idiot islander out in numerous languages. Mara had intervened on Ran's behalf before Amir could Command him to jump into the ocean and swim back to the Maldives which surely would have killed him.
She shrugged at Pakpao. "Long story short, he came with us and he grew on Amir. Like a kudzu vine, in Amir's terms. He still calls him Kudzu half the time. Ran loves it. Amir turned him the following year."
And Ran was as loyal as the next vampire. Possibly more; beneath his bubbly personality he was actually pretty tender-hearted. Ran didn't have an ounce of betrayal in his body, she didn't think.
"Oh I imagine he'll fly in one of these days." Literally. "We do get together on occasion, you know, all of us."
Mara frowned, thinking of her father. "Most of us." Then she perked up. "I'll tell you if he's planning a visit though. He might be more of the 'adventurous fling' type, but you never know."
I Think We're Alone Now...
Nervously Pak looked up and down the stores and practically tip toed into Barney's. Eiryk had a tenancy to hang out here, or stop here, or blow through here, or just materialize. It was actually rather scary but given the former Viking's coffee addiction it was also to be expected.
Unfortunately for Pak she shared the addiction, not on the same level, but enough that they crossed paths here more than any other place.
She'd finally gotten out of a rather nasty meeting, one of the departments was trying to put a new system in place and it wasn't going well. Half that management hated it and the other half wasn't going to let the idea go and they were sticking IT in the middle. She did not approve and she wasn't going to let their petty squabbling make her department look good.
Getting out of the meeting she'd decided that she couldn't deal with anything work related for a few minutes, not her office not her employees, nothing. So she snuck over to Barny's gotten a big cup of mocha and sat down with a nearly audible sigh.
As long as Eiryk didn't show up this was just what the doctor ordered. She was going to find the person who had but the bee in his bonnet and seriously hurt them. She loved Eiryk, he was a wonderful friend, but he could obsess like no one's business. It usually wasn't too bad, and if someone else was the focus of his energy it was even a little funny, but he'd settled on her like a laser beam and it was intense.
Mara
11 years ago
Pakpao
11 years ago
Pak cocked her head and regarded Mara thoughtfully when she said that Ran stuck to them. There were any number of reasons for that, anything ranging from his home life being less than ideal, to outrageous debt to a divine sign, but Pak liked her idea better and asked Mara playfully.
"Mmmm and why would that be? Did he have a crush on you.... or Amir?â€
Hey Eiryk had set her up with a gay man, she wanted to go into even a lunch date with her eyes wide open. Playing for both teams was one thing, but she wanted to know if a date wasn't going to be interested in her at all.
The rest of the story made Pak laugh out loud. She approved of the determination and initiative that it showed, especially to stand up to Amir. Granted Amir had never been terribly aggressive with her but if the man could keep Bao in line wasn't a softy or a push over.
"Kudzu?â€
She asked both tickled and disbelieving. That was a hell of a nickname, border line, okay down right insulting, but in some relationships you could get away with it. It had probably grown from irritation to fondness over the years.
"Well let me know if he does show up. There is nothing wrong with a fling now and then and I certainly wouldn't hold you to a deep and lasting relationship.â€
Pak said with a grin. As Kem had a tendency to remind her on occasion she was young so she wasn't going worry about finding her soul mate. But she also wasn't going to say no to a date. She'd done enough of that. Of course, she didn't really expect to ever met Ran either. Oh she was certain that Mara would set them up if he was in town, but it was a big world, and he might actually say no. Better not to get her hopes up too high.
"Mmmm and why would that be? Did he have a crush on you.... or Amir?â€
Hey Eiryk had set her up with a gay man, she wanted to go into even a lunch date with her eyes wide open. Playing for both teams was one thing, but she wanted to know if a date wasn't going to be interested in her at all.
The rest of the story made Pak laugh out loud. She approved of the determination and initiative that it showed, especially to stand up to Amir. Granted Amir had never been terribly aggressive with her but if the man could keep Bao in line wasn't a softy or a push over.
"Kudzu?â€
She asked both tickled and disbelieving. That was a hell of a nickname, border line, okay down right insulting, but in some relationships you could get away with it. It had probably grown from irritation to fondness over the years.
"Well let me know if he does show up. There is nothing wrong with a fling now and then and I certainly wouldn't hold you to a deep and lasting relationship.â€
Pak said with a grin. As Kem had a tendency to remind her on occasion she was young so she wasn't going worry about finding her soul mate. But she also wasn't going to say no to a date. She'd done enough of that. Of course, she didn't really expect to ever met Ran either. Oh she was certain that Mara would set them up if he was in town, but it was a big world, and he might actually say no. Better not to get her hopes up too high.
Mara
11 years ago
Mara considered how to describe Ran. "He's very... adventurous," she said, using the term again for lack of a better one. "I really think the Maldives were too small for him."
When Pak asked about his having a crush, Mara chuckled. "You know, he claims to have had a crush on me forever but I don't think it's true. He's never acted on it and Ran is not the kind of man who doesn't act on it. As for Amir, well, Ran doesn't swing that way. I don't doubt that he would consider it if the right person came along, but I've never known him to."
Poor Pak was probably afraid of being set up with a gay man again. Ran was certainly not that. It was actually astonishing, really, the rate at which he slept with women. It was as if he was making up for Mara's and Bao's lack of partners. At once. Best not to mention that to Pak though - Ran was a good guy and who knew, he might fall for Pak and settle down. But maybe not. He certainly hadn't so far.
"Kudzu," Mara said, her lips twitching up. "Don't tell him I said that, it would hurt his little feelings. Amir would never have turned him if he didn't like him. He just refuses to admit it."
She tossed her once-more-empty cup into the nearest trash can. "We'll see. It has been a while since we all saw each other."
What she didn't say was that she knew Amir had already contacted Ran and Ran was definitely not opposed to coming to Nachton. He would be there within the month, most likely.
When Pak asked about his having a crush, Mara chuckled. "You know, he claims to have had a crush on me forever but I don't think it's true. He's never acted on it and Ran is not the kind of man who doesn't act on it. As for Amir, well, Ran doesn't swing that way. I don't doubt that he would consider it if the right person came along, but I've never known him to."
Poor Pak was probably afraid of being set up with a gay man again. Ran was certainly not that. It was actually astonishing, really, the rate at which he slept with women. It was as if he was making up for Mara's and Bao's lack of partners. At once. Best not to mention that to Pak though - Ran was a good guy and who knew, he might fall for Pak and settle down. But maybe not. He certainly hadn't so far.
"Kudzu," Mara said, her lips twitching up. "Don't tell him I said that, it would hurt his little feelings. Amir would never have turned him if he didn't like him. He just refuses to admit it."
She tossed her once-more-empty cup into the nearest trash can. "We'll see. It has been a while since we all saw each other."
What she didn't say was that she knew Amir had already contacted Ran and Ran was definitely not opposed to coming to Nachton. He would be there within the month, most likely.
Pakpao
11 years ago
Pak couldn't claim to be adventurous, she'd try something if cajoled or goaded the right way or just enough. She wasn't opposed to new things, and she wouldn't call herself stodgy, she was just cautious. But if that didn't put this Ran off they might at least enjoy each others company. She considered asking Mara if his adventurous side was limited to globe trotting of if it applied to there areas of his life as well. But she decided there were somethings best worked out on her own.
"They are small enough that I don't think I've ever been there and they haven't figured in my travel plans. Where are they any way?â€
Pak eyed Mara suspiciously about the crush but didn't press. It wouldn't be hard to believe he had a crush on her. After all her friend was not unattractive. Hell vine if she had been unattractive she was sweet, intelligent and considerate and caring. There was a great deal to like.
"I might hold you to that one. If both you and Eiryk set me up with a gay man I might have to consider a sex change.â€
Although, she didn't even want to consider how regenerating that surgery would work. It would probably hurt like hell and couldn't possibly be attractive to look at while you did it.
She chuckled with a little nod.
"I promise not to say a word.â€
It would be an awkward name to live down. And she respected that probably only Amir could or should call him that. She had a few names for Bao that were names probably only she was allowed to use, most of them were less than polite as well.
"Not much for family reunions are we? Well it is a big world and it can be hard to coordinate everyone's schedule. Speaking of family.... do you think I should get Bao something?â€
They were sort of Christmas shopping after all.
"They are small enough that I don't think I've ever been there and they haven't figured in my travel plans. Where are they any way?â€
Pak eyed Mara suspiciously about the crush but didn't press. It wouldn't be hard to believe he had a crush on her. After all her friend was not unattractive. Hell vine if she had been unattractive she was sweet, intelligent and considerate and caring. There was a great deal to like.
"I might hold you to that one. If both you and Eiryk set me up with a gay man I might have to consider a sex change.â€
Although, she didn't even want to consider how regenerating that surgery would work. It would probably hurt like hell and couldn't possibly be attractive to look at while you did it.
She chuckled with a little nod.
"I promise not to say a word.â€
It would be an awkward name to live down. And she respected that probably only Amir could or should call him that. She had a few names for Bao that were names probably only she was allowed to use, most of them were less than polite as well.
"Not much for family reunions are we? Well it is a big world and it can be hard to coordinate everyone's schedule. Speaking of family.... do you think I should get Bao something?â€
They were sort of Christmas shopping after all.
Mara
11 years ago
Mara answered Pak's question about the Maldives, remembering their journey there quite clearly; Ran was not easily forgotten, and hadn't been even as a human hidden in a barrel of salted herring.
"It's a chain of islands in the Laccadive Sea, just southwest of India," she explained. "There are some thousand of them in total although only a couple hundred are populated. It's pretty country, if you like tropical, coral reefs, and lots of coconuts."
She lifted her shoulders. She had certainly enjoyed being there even if she and Amir had been on a job at the time.
She rolled her eyes a little bit at Pak's next statement, smiling at her friend. "Well, while I can't guarantee the two of you will hit it off, unless Ran has undergone a massive personality shift in the last ten years, you're definitely of the correct gender for him."
She didn't know if the two would get along as lovers and she certainly didn't plan to force the issue. Ran was a big boy and Pak was all grown up too. Ran could get along with almost anyone, but as far as partners went he was promiscuous and proud. She had yet to see him with a woman who could hold his interest for longer than a few weeks.
Finally they wound up on the topic of shopping once more. Mara Raised her eyebrows at Pak and thought about the question. "I don't know. Do you want to get him something? I can say honestly, I don't know who he's shopping for this year, if anyone at all. If you want to, get him something. Even if it's small. I think he might be pleased if you were thinking of him."
She had some shopping to do, herself. Mara had already made a list and ordered several things. She had also done her usual charity and crafted several glass ornaments and statues for various shops around Nachton and was planning on donating the proceeds to Erasma. Last year her contributions had been nearly ten thousand dollars and, as people returned looking for her ornaments, she was hoping to give even more.
"It's a chain of islands in the Laccadive Sea, just southwest of India," she explained. "There are some thousand of them in total although only a couple hundred are populated. It's pretty country, if you like tropical, coral reefs, and lots of coconuts."
She lifted her shoulders. She had certainly enjoyed being there even if she and Amir had been on a job at the time.
She rolled her eyes a little bit at Pak's next statement, smiling at her friend. "Well, while I can't guarantee the two of you will hit it off, unless Ran has undergone a massive personality shift in the last ten years, you're definitely of the correct gender for him."
She didn't know if the two would get along as lovers and she certainly didn't plan to force the issue. Ran was a big boy and Pak was all grown up too. Ran could get along with almost anyone, but as far as partners went he was promiscuous and proud. She had yet to see him with a woman who could hold his interest for longer than a few weeks.
Finally they wound up on the topic of shopping once more. Mara Raised her eyebrows at Pak and thought about the question. "I don't know. Do you want to get him something? I can say honestly, I don't know who he's shopping for this year, if anyone at all. If you want to, get him something. Even if it's small. I think he might be pleased if you were thinking of him."
She had some shopping to do, herself. Mara had already made a list and ordered several things. She had also done her usual charity and crafted several glass ornaments and statues for various shops around Nachton and was planning on donating the proceeds to Erasma. Last year her contributions had been nearly ten thousand dollars and, as people returned looking for her ornaments, she was hoping to give even more.
Pakpao
11 years ago
"Oh that sounds lovely. I might have to check in on those.â€
Pak did like the tropics, she hailed from that type of climate and continued to prefer it to anything. If she hadn't found Evenhet she would have gravitated back that way. Granted one could find bit of Evenhet in just about any climate imaginable, but her work with Meridian and for the clan kept her here. Telecommuting would only go so far and she didn't care to commute more than she had too.
An unusually open smile and cheerful laugh were Pa's answer to Mara. She was certainly becoming less guarded around her Anantya friend.
"Thank god for that. I'd start to worry if there was something wrong with me.â€
She would have started to wonder if she was slightly mannish or something. Pak might not have been overly curvacious but she did have a decent figure and one that was definitely feminine but it was possible that she was losing her touch. Although, given Henri's reaction she doubted any of that was entirely true.
"I thought I would this year. He's been more than decent since we started meeting.â€
It was almost to the point that Pak liked Bao, she was considering respecting him and was thinking about forgiving him. The man had done everything humanly, and vampirically, possible to make things up to her, to make the right.
"Maybe you could help me pick something out? Or at least put me on the right track. I'd get him a chess board but he'd think I was gloating.â€
Pak almost always won their games. She appreciated him continuing to play even though he didn't always come out on top. In exchange she kept going with their martial arts lessons, she might actually be learning something too, if not enjoying it. Okay she was getting closer to enjoying it too.
Pak did like the tropics, she hailed from that type of climate and continued to prefer it to anything. If she hadn't found Evenhet she would have gravitated back that way. Granted one could find bit of Evenhet in just about any climate imaginable, but her work with Meridian and for the clan kept her here. Telecommuting would only go so far and she didn't care to commute more than she had too.
An unusually open smile and cheerful laugh were Pa's answer to Mara. She was certainly becoming less guarded around her Anantya friend.
"Thank god for that. I'd start to worry if there was something wrong with me.â€
She would have started to wonder if she was slightly mannish or something. Pak might not have been overly curvacious but she did have a decent figure and one that was definitely feminine but it was possible that she was losing her touch. Although, given Henri's reaction she doubted any of that was entirely true.
"I thought I would this year. He's been more than decent since we started meeting.â€
It was almost to the point that Pak liked Bao, she was considering respecting him and was thinking about forgiving him. The man had done everything humanly, and vampirically, possible to make things up to her, to make the right.
"Maybe you could help me pick something out? Or at least put me on the right track. I'd get him a chess board but he'd think I was gloating.â€
Pak almost always won their games. She appreciated him continuing to play even though he didn't always come out on top. In exchange she kept going with their martial arts lessons, she might actually be learning something too, if not enjoying it. Okay she was getting closer to enjoying it too.
Mara
11 years ago
"Maybe that will be your next vacation," Mara said, referring back to their earlier conversation. "I can give you some decent travel tips."
Or Ran could, when he arrived.
She and Pak continued on, and Mara considered the idea of a chess board for Bao. "That might not be a bad idea," she said. "He does have a chess board. Or five. Or ten. I'm not sure. But I think one from you would have significant meaning. And even if you were gloating, he'd probably take it as a challenge."
She linked her arm through Pak's and swung it, skipping a little bit. "Let's see what we can find for him."
With that the Christmas shopping officially began, and Mara discovered that in the company of her Evenhet friend she soon stopped being paranoid and looking around every corner for her father. Instead, they had a good time just being themselves for once, shopping, chattering, and spending money.
It was a good night.
((ooc: Pak and Mara out))
Or Ran could, when he arrived.
She and Pak continued on, and Mara considered the idea of a chess board for Bao. "That might not be a bad idea," she said. "He does have a chess board. Or five. Or ten. I'm not sure. But I think one from you would have significant meaning. And even if you were gloating, he'd probably take it as a challenge."
She linked her arm through Pak's and swung it, skipping a little bit. "Let's see what we can find for him."
With that the Christmas shopping officially began, and Mara discovered that in the company of her Evenhet friend she soon stopped being paranoid and looking around every corner for her father. Instead, they had a good time just being themselves for once, shopping, chattering, and spending money.
It was a good night.
((ooc: Pak and Mara out))